PORT Stephens Council has unanimously voted to re-establish Alcohol Free Zones in Anna Bay, Nelson Bay and Raymond Terrace.

A component of the Local Government Act (1993), councils are empowered to designate certain “road-related” areas such as roads, footpaths and car parks and prohibit the consumption of alcohol in these places.

These zones have contributed to lowering the rates of alcohol-related offences that need to be dealt with by police.

They are also intended to improve public safety and community perception of affected areas.

Cr Peter Francis, who brought the motion before Council, noted that signage would to be updated in these areas to ensure that adequate and accurate information was publicly available.

By Lindsay HALL